zam1箴
Jyutpingzam1
Yalejām
Definition
To warn, or a type of didactic literary composition; also used as a variant for needle.
- to warn or admonish
- literarya type of didactic literary composition
- archaica needle or pin
writtenother
How it's used
Literary in nature, this character is almost exclusively encountered in the compound 箴言. It carries a formal, moralistic weight that distinguishes it from everyday words for advice or warnings like 勸告 or 提醒. You will rarely hear it in casual speech unless quoting a classic text or a proverb.
Examples
He wrote an aphorism to encourage people to be good.
Remember this piece of advice.
Related words
Common phrases
aphorism or proverb
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 針, which is the common character for needle or injection. Because they share a phonetic component, they look similar, but 箴 is restricted to abstract moral instruction while 針 is used for physical objects.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
